The Sparks Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in COLUMBIA, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $7.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $401K. Net investment income was $329K.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.3M
+13.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$401K
+22.7% YoY
Grant Count
5
-76.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$80K
+415.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sparks Foundation reported a distributable amount of $315K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Sparks Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Sparks Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in COLUMBIA, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $7.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $401K. Net investment income was $329K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,279,001 | $6,424,463 | $5,178,287 |
| Revenue | $389,194 | $999,885 | $-114,777 |
| Expenses | $468,683 | $374,120 | $293,771 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $401,000 | $326,791 | $241,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $329,291 | $999,885 | $62,913 |
| Distributable Amount | $315,033 | $271,165 | $258,258 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
93 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include America First Policy Institute ($375,000), Family Is Everything ($10,000), Operation Light Shine ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Covenant Church of Heber Springs Heber Springs, AR | TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH'S MISSION | $5,000 |
| America First Policy Institute Washington, DC | TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION. | $375,000 |
| Ambassador Services International Franklin, TN | to support the organization's mission. | $1,000 |
| Family Is Everything Nashville, TN | To support the Organization's mission. | $10,000 |
| Operation Light Shine Hermitage, TN | To support the Organization's mission. | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert D Sparks | Trustee | 2 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Sparks Foundation?
The Sparks Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in COLUMBIA, TN. It holds $7.3M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is The Sparks Foundation?
As of 2024, The Sparks Foundation holds $7.3M in total assets with $389K in annual revenue. It awarded 5 grants totaling $401K in 2024.
Where does The Sparks Foundation operate?
The Sparks Foundation has awarded grants in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas.
What size grants does The Sparks Foundation award?
In 2024, The Sparks Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $401K — an average of about $80K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Sparks Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Sparks Foundation reported a distributable amount of $315K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Sparks Foundation's EIN?
The Sparks Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7029788. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sparks Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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